How’s this for a bargain? Linebacker Jaylon Smith will collect just $770K from the Packers this year (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).
[RELATED: Packers Sign Jaylon Smith]
Of course, Smith will still collect $7.2MMM in salary from the Cowboys. Before his release, the Cowboys asked Smith to waive his injury guarantee for 2022 (Twitter link via Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). He declined, prompting the Cowboys to cut him loose.
It all worked out for Smith, who figures to see a larger role with another NFC contender and some additional coin. And, with a strong year, he’ll see a huge payday in March. Smith, still just 26, was a Pro Bowler just two years ago. That year, he racked up 154 tackles, good for the second-highest total in the league. Meanwhile, the advanced metrics are still high on his work — Pro Football Focus ranks him as a top-15 linebacker at the one-quarter mark.
It’s a strong pickup for Green Bay, especially after they missed out on Stephon Gilmore. The cornerback was set to reach free agency on Wednesday morning, but the Patriots traded him to the Panthers instead. Trading for Gilmore would have meant taking on $5.8MM in base salary this year; Smith comes at a fraction of the price. He also figures to thrive under the tutelage of Matt LaFleur, who coached him at Notre Dame.
“Nothing’s official yet, but I go back a long time with Jaylon,” said LaFleur (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky). “I’ve always had a lot of respect for him, not only as a football player but as a man. He was one of my favorites when I was at Notre Dame. I just think a veteran guy who’s played at a really high level and just can bring kind of a mentality and leadership to our defense.”
This move still doesn’t make sense from the Dallas standpoint. They are paying him either way, might as well keep him and see what happens.
If he got injured they were on the hook for 9.2 million next year. Tough risk for a guy who was no longer starting.
Both of you make valid points. I have to think that Dallas could have gotten something for Smith in a trade, though. I’m wondering if he raised a stink about not starting and/or playing much, and Dallas dropped him so he wouldn’t be a distraction.
Wouldn’t the team trading for him have to take on the 2022 contract? I don’t think most teams would want any part of that.
If he starts, it’s not a bad deal.
From Dallas’ perspective though, they have been playing Parsons at end and Vander Esch is coming off a bad and possibly long term injury. I’m not sure why Smith isn’t an option to start. Yes, they may have to pay an injury salary if Smith gets hurt, but for a contender who needs quality play to beat playoff teams, that seems like a worthwhile risk to take. A team has to plan for injuries or future cap implications, but sooner or later the game comes down to quality players. It just seems premature without much to show for it.
If they traded him, his new team would be in the same situation regarding his injury guarantee. Drastically reduces his value.
I don’t think it’s that bad for a guy that you plan to start, though. In any case, I’m more perplexed that they couldn’t find a way to use Smith, especially with the injury trouble that Dallas has had in the front seven.
Yes, it’s bad if he gets hurt and doesn’t play. It’s like a near $10 million cap hit for nothing.
Packers certainly weren’t going to risk that with the cap problems they already have:
You’ve got 5 people competing for 2 spots. Having a backup is important, but do you need to pay $7+ million for one?
There are three spots, and they have three impact players-I don’t see the need to trade away a player you’re already paying. Especially with Parsons having played DE the last couple of weeks due to other injuries.
As far as the “it’s bad if he’s injured”… well, yeah, of course it’s bad if he’s injured. But if you can name me a quality starter who doesn’t have an injury guarantee in his extension, I’d be surprised. I don’t think Smith’s deal was unbearable for a team wanting a starting linebacker. Of course it’s bad if Smith is injured. So what do you do, just refuse to use him? It’s just not a good enough reason for me to not consider a player in a year where you are pushing for the playoffs.
Cause if he got hurt they would also be on hook for 7 million additional in 2022
Jerry is dumb unless Smith falls apart instantly
I haven’t been this giddy about Dallas since J.R. Ewing was shot. Thanks again Cowboys!
You don’t watch much Cowboys football.
What a bargain. The boys are getting national attention. Time to fall apart and not meet expectations.
Just comes down to money. The cowboys have too much money invested at the linebacker position, which is their own fault. Smith was a lock to get released in the off-season after they drafted Parsons. Demarcus Lawrence is unfortunately another potential casualty, then Amari Cooper will probably be cut the following off-season. The Smith contract was a bad one to begin with, so it was just the first to go.
Was it bad? They were paying less than 10 million for Smith, and their two other linebackers are on their rookie deals. They declined Vander Esch’s option already, so if they’re planning to release Smith to make room for him, that was pretty backwards. Parsons will be cheap for the next three years. Smith’s deal was actually not that bad in comparison to a lot of extensions-he only got $39 million in guarantees total, and his salary for this year is already guaranteed. I don’t think Dallas has too much money invested in linebackers at all, and they released the only one that they had on a long term deal.
Wait until Packers fans realize he fails to fill gaps and lumbers around out there. Great story, but it was time to move on. Jabril Cox has impressed and stands to see a larger role.
I think its a locker room issue? paying a guy 7 million not to play AND fear of injury AND the business end not wanting to work with the team helped force this move. They tried to trade him but that contract and risk were too much for teams to bite into.
Cutting him loose is gonna come back to bite Dallas in the ass!!